Livestock feeder

ABSTRACT

This invention is a livestock feeder comprising a top gate, a bottom gate, a center gate disposed between said tip gate and said bottom gate, said top gate, said bottom gate, and said center gate define a gate system. The bottom gate can swing inward when the feed is eaten. Then after the livestock eat the feed when the gate is swung inward, the hate can be “reset” to the vertical position, and then the gate system can be moved closer to the feed. A means for horizontal movement disposed on the gate system whereby the gate system can move in a horizontal direction when movement of the means for horizontal movement is initiated. A means for initiation horizontal movement includes a hand crank.  
     This invention can be in a covered environment similar to a pole barn. The sized can vary depending on the livestock herd, the property, and the feed. A sloped floor helps prevent waste accumulation where the livestock feed.  
     The openings in which the bison place their heads are to have varied sizes so bison with different size heads can eat. If the bison with the large heads can not eat through the smaller openings, they can go to the larger openings, and the bison with smaller heads can still eat through the bottom gate vertical members with closer distances between them, thereby defining smaller openings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a mechanism for the efficientfeeding of numerous livestock simultaneously. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to a feeder, which receives bales of hay to bedisposed inside the feeder. One side of the feeder serves as a “feedinggate”, which the livestock eat from by pulling hay or other similar feedthrough the gate with their mouths. As the hay is eaten, the gate systemcan be moved at the user's discretion, toward the opposing end, closerto the non-eaten feed, so the livestock can now access and ingest thisfeed.

[0003] Some feeder “gates” are essentially fixed and stationary.Therefore they must be inspected regularly to determine whether morefeed needs to be deposited in said feeder. Other feeders have wheels sothey can be moved around on the farm, but this limits their size, andtherefore limits the capacity of feed, which they can hold, or “feedingcapacity”. Other feeders are baskets for receiving hay from aconventional bale chute, which also serve as a feeder. These are limitedin size and therefore their storage capacity. Those in which the feedinggate moves, the feeding gate is usually moved by the force from thelivestock who must push on the gate while feeding.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] What is needed therefore, is a feeder, which can store up to afull year of feed, with the option of doing so in a covered environment.Also, the floor may have a slope, or other proper drainage means toprevent the compilation of waste.

[0006] Numerous innovations for a livestock feeder have been provided inthe prior art that are described as follows. Even though theseinnovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes towhich they address, they differ from the present invention ashereinafter contrasted.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,620,192 to Taylor discloses an, “animal actuatedsilo feeding gate: comprising a rectangular, enclosed feeding area, anda feeding gate moved by the livestock pushing against said gate. Thispatent, in column 1, lines 16-24, discusses various problems withmoveable feeding gates. One of these problems is a tendency for the gateto cant or swing about a vertical axis due to a lateral shifting of therollers, hampering inward movement of the gate. Another problem isvertical dislodgment, allowing the livestock to raise and move past thegate. These problems do not exist in the applicant's invention. Also theapplicant's gate functions by allowing the livestock to becomepositioned relative to the feed, so feeding can be done with ease. Theapplicant also provides for a feeding gate, which can have open areasaround the outer edges of the feeding gate so the big bulls can notprevent the smaller animals from feeding. U.S. Pat. No. 3,620,192 iscomprised of sidewalls, which would allow the larger bulls to push thesmaller livestock behind the larger bulls, out of the feeding area. U.S.Pat. No. 3,620,192's feeding gate is supported by wheels as described incolumn 2, lines 37-44. These wheels can be disadvantageous by actuallypreventing the movement of the feeding gate if there are anyobstructions wedged between the rollers and the floor or ground. U.S.Pat. No. 3,620,192 has adjustable vertical bars (32). As admitted in theU.S. Pat. No. 3,620,192, a gap of fourteen (14) inches may be proper forreceiving the heads of larger bulls, but this allows the larger bulls tooccupy the entire eating area because they can push the smaller bisonaside. The applicant's invention has openings of varying size so a largebull may place his head through a large opening, but not a smallopening, thereby allowing the smaller calves to also eat. Byimplication, it seems as though U.S. Pat. No. 3,620,192 requires thelivestock to push the feeding gate with their shoulders to move saidfeeding gate, thus their entire head would be placed through the feedinggate. This could explain the necessity for such large spaces betweensaid vertical bars. If all vertical bars were eight (8) inches apart asis mentioned in column 2 line 35, and their heads were required to fitthrough the vertical bars, the larger bulls could not eat. Theapplicant's invention has no such problems, which could result in deathgreat costs for the user. The applicant's preferred embodiment hasopenings that are about five and one-quarter (5.25) inches between thevertical members of the lower gate. Only the mouths of the livestockneed to penetrate said openings. This allows efficient feeding for bothbulls and calves. The applicant's invention does not use rollers, whicheliminates the problems that rollers can encounter, such as smallstones, and feed being wedged to prevent rolling.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,453 to Kuhns discloses a hay bale basket foraccumulating and transporting hay bales. Due to size limitations, thiscan not be used to hold a substantial amount of feed. The closestargument that this is a feeder is that it may be possible for someanimals to grab whatever feed is accessible, by said feed being exposedthrough the openings. Another distinction between this and theapplicant's invention is that U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,453 has no means bywhich the animals can access the feed not adjacent to the openings inthe side walls, either by having side walls which move, or by moving thefeed to the side walls.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,724 to Kuhns discloses an, “expandable balecarrier and feeder”. Column 2, lines 51-60 discuss the low profile ofthe invention. The applicant' invention allows for stacking of numerousbales of hay, upon bales of hay, “as high as the sky”. Thus the holdingvolume of the applicant's invention is increased, and the requirement ofrefilling is decreased, relative to the U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,724. Column3, lines 64-68 describe the aspect that the invention can accommodate aplurality of round hay bales supported on the bed in transverse side byside relation to each other when the side walls are in the firstposition. The applicant's invention can receive round, square, or anyshape of hay bales. U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,724 in column 2, lines 12-17provides that the feeder can accommodate at least two large round haybales. U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,724 is limited by its size because if it wereholding a large amount of hay, the weight would force the carrier to getstuck in the mud, possibly sink in the ground, get stuck and tip. Themud and slop generated at an outside, uncovered livestock feeding areacan disable any vehicle. This mud, waste, and slop is generated byweather conditions, the stomping of the livestock, and the waste fromthe livestock. The applicant's invention can eliminate these problems byuse of a sloped, flooring, in a covered environment.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,336,035 to Kuhns discloses a wheeled hay balebasket to accumulate and transport hay. This does not allow for a longterm feeding capacity, and the efficient feeding area of applicant'sinvention.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,673 to Weelink discloses a displaceablefeeding fence. In column 1, lines 35-39, the patent is limited to beingused on the ground, unlike the applicant's invention, which has its ownflooring system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,673 requires the livestock to standon the floor plate to support the fence. If a large strong bull were topush the fence while a lighter calve were to be standing on the floorplate, the calve could be catapulted over the fence. Also, if thelivestock on the right side of the fence were consuming more than thoseon the left side, the fence would rotate in a counter-clockwisedirection, causing a plethora of problems, including locking of thegate, and possible breading of the device.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,205,951 to Sprik is similar in mechanicaloperation to the present invention, however, it does not possess thevaried openings in the gate which allows bison with large heads to placetheir heads through the larger openings to obtain food, and the bisonwith smaller heads can place their heads through the smaller openings toeat.

[0013] Numerous innovations for a livestock feeder have been provided inthe prior art that are adapted to be used. Even though these innovationsmay be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which theyaddress, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the presentinvention as heretofore described.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0014] In accordance with the present invention, a livestock feeder iscomprised of a means for horizontal movement, which means may be tworails. A gate system that is comprised of, a top gate disposed above acenter gate, said center gate disposed above the bottom gate. The bottomgate can articulate at a pivot point disposed somewhere between thebottom gate and the center gate, or on the bottom gate near the centergate. Once articulated, the bottom gate can be locked in position by alocking means, which may include a locking handle. The top gate andcenter gate can be one unitary gate.

[0015] All gates can move horizontally along the means for horizontalmovement. The gates can be moved along the means for horizontal movementmanually or with a crank, whereby a cable pulls the gates along themeans for horizontal movement. The livestock feeder can also have asloped floor, whereby the slope allows for waste and water to move awayfrom the hay and livestock. The livestock feeder can also be free ofside gates, which can impede feeding by allowing smaller livestock to becrushed, or pushed into any side gates. The livestock feeder can be inan enclosure with a roof.

[0016] More particularly, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a livestock feeder specifically adapted to enable the caretakeror herdsman to easily, conveniently and efficiently load feed, withoutspecific stacking limitations.

[0017] In keeping with these objects, and with others, which will becomeapparent hereinafter, the feature of the present invention resides,briefly stated, in that the livestock feeder permits the livestock aconvenient method of eating.

[0018] When the livestock feeder is designed in accordance with thepresent invention, it provides the feature of long term feed storage,ease of loading, and waste runoff.

[0019] Another feature of the present invention is versatileconstruction, enabling the various demands of the individual livestockherd, and feeding quantities and frequencies.

[0020] Another feature of the present invention is that it is simple touse, as the farmer or herdsman can merely use the crank to move thegates along the horizontal.

[0021] Yet another feature of the present invention is that of itsversatile adaptability, enabling the livestock feeder to be used inconnection with a variety of livestock, feed, and outdoor environments.

[0022] Still another feature of the present invention is that it may bemanufactured from a number of different materials including, but notlimited to: wood, metal, metal alloy, plastic, plastic composite,polymers, ceramics, and fiberglass.

[0023] Still yet another feature of the present invention is thesimplicity of design, which would facilitate the manufacture andproduction of the livestock feeder.

[0024] Another feature of the present invention is that the gates can bedesigned with the vertical gate members of varying distances and widthsdepending on the livestock or feed.

[0025] Yet still another feature of the present invention is that themeans for horizontal movement can be a rail upon which at least onewheel can ride.

[0026] Another feature of the present invention is that the variedopenings in the gate allow for varied bison head sizes, from small tolarge, to have better access to the feed on the other side of the gate.

[0027] The novel features which are considered characteristic for theinvention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself,however, both as to its construction and its method of operation,together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be bestunderstood from the following description of the specific embodimentswhen read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DRAWING FIGURES

[0028]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the invention, not including theoptional roof, and not including the optional sloped flooring. It alsoshows the varied distances between the bottom gate vertical bars.

[0029]FIG. 2 is a view showing the invention with the roof, and slopedflooring.

[0030]FIG. 3 is a view of the livestock feeder with the bottom gateshown in two (2) different positions so one can see the path in which itswings so fill a void created by eaten feed, which allows livestock toaccess feed near the floor. This view also shows the varied distancesbetween the bottom gate vertical bars.

BRIEF LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWINGS

[0031]10—livestock feeder 10

[0032]12—top gate 12

[0033]14—center gate 14

[0034]16—bottom gate 16

[0035]18—means of horizontal movement 18

[0036]20—horizontal member 20

[0037]22—lower gate pivot lock 22

[0038]24—horizontal initiator 24

[0039]26—sloped floor 26

[0040]28—roof 28

[0041]30—bottom gate vertical bars 30

[0042]32—support posts 32

[0043]34—pivot point 34

[0044]36—bottom gate lower bar 36

[0045]38—cable 38

[0046]40—bottom gate lock support 40

[0047]42—center gate-framing member 42

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] A typical embodiment of the livestock feeder is disclosed inFIG. 1. FIG. 1 discloses an isometric view of the top gate (12) which isfastened to the center gate (14) is pivotally connected to the lowergate (16) whereby the lower gate (16) can pivot about a pivot point(34), whereby the lower part (36) of the bottom gate (16) swings closerto the feed, or away from the feed so the livestock can easily accessthe feed, as in FIG. 3. The center gate (14) remains vertical, as thebottom gate (16) pivots, or as the top gate (12) may pivot. The pivotingabout the pivot point (34) is accomplished by means of a lower gatepivot lock (22), whereby one can manually release the lower gate pivotlock (22) move the lower gate (16) so it pivots about the pivot point(34), then lock the lower gate pivot lock (22) so as to lock the bottomgate (16 in place. The lower gate pivot lock (22) can be disposedbetween a bottom gate lock support (40) and a center gate framing member(42). The gate system which is comprised of the top gate (12), centergate (14) and bottom gate (16) can be moved horizontally by means ofhorizontal movement (18). The bottom gate (16) can be comprised of aplurality of bottom gate vertical bars (30) to define openings ofdifferent sizes in which the livestock can place their mouths to eat.The means of horizontal movement (18) shown are two roller mechanismshaving four wheels each, two wheels on each side of the rollermechanism, which roll on a horizontal member (20). The means ofhorizontal movement (18) is initiated by a horizontal initiator (24).The horizontal initiator (24) shown is a common crank with a cable (38),said cable (38) being fastened to the means for horizontal movement(18). The gate system can be moved horizontally regardless of theposition of the bottom gate (16), i.e. either as shown in FIG. 1, orFIG. 3.

[0049] The gate system and side gates (44) define a feeding area. Thegate system shown in FIG. 2 is disposed at what is defined as the frontof the feeding area, and the means for horizontal movement (18) can movethe gate system to the opposing end, called the back of the feeding area(46). The feed is placed in the feeding area from the back of thefeeding area (46) manually or by tractors. At the time the feed isplaced in the feeding area, it is best to have the gate systempositioned as far from the back of the feeding area (46) as possible soas to maximize the feeding area.

[0050] Next, as the livestock first eat the feed near the floor (26), avoid is created near the floor (26), and near the bottom gate lower bar(36) as the bottom gate (16) starts out in the essentially verticalposition as shown in FIG. 1. Now the user can unlock the bottom gate(16) by releasing the bottom gate pivot lock (22), position the bottomgate lower bar (36) closer to the uneaten feed, and then secure thebottom gate pivot lock (22), locking the bottom gate (16) in position,as shown in FIG. 3. Now the livestock can eat the feed, which isadjacent to the bottom gate (16). As they eat this feed, the feed(including hay bales) above will drop down, allowing the livestock toaccess this new dropped feed. Once this is eaten, the bottom gate pivotlock (22) can be released, to allow the user to move the bottom gate(16) to position the bottom gate (16) in the essentially verticalposition as shown in FIG. 1, and then the user can move the gate systemcloser to the uneaten feed, in the direction of the back of the feedingarea (46).

[0051]FIG. 2 discloses the livestock feeder with a roof (28), and afloor (26). The floor (26) can be sloped at angle theta (0) as opposedto being level with the horizontal, as shown, so any waste runs awayfrom the feed and livestock. A plurality of side gates (44) enclose thefeed so the livestock can not simply go around to the side of the feed.The side gates (44) can be opened as shown in FIG. 2 once the gatesystem is moved inward. The opening of the side gates prevents thelivestock from being crushed. Particularly, the smaller livestock can becrushed by the larger bulls when the bulls force their way in to thebottom gate (16) to feed. The opening of the side gates (44) can preventthat.

[0052]FIG. 3 discloses the bottom gate 16) after it is swung inward andlocked in place. The bottom gate (16) is locked in place by the lowergate pivot lock (22). When the bottom gate (16) is shown in anessentially vertical position as in FIG. 1, the livestock will eat thefeed near the bottom, leaving a void. The void left by the eaten feed isnow closed by moving the bottom gate (16) and bottom gate lower bar (36)and bottom gate vertical bars (30) closer to the existing (non-eaten)feed. Now with the bottom gate (16), the bottom gate lower bar (36), andthe bottom gate vertical bars (30) closer to the feed, the livestock canplace their mouths closer to the feed and eat and nourish themselves.The bottom gate vertical bars are placed where the distances between thebottom gate vertical bars (30) varies.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

[0053] It will be understood that each of the elements described above,or two or more together, may also find a useful application in othertypes of constructions differing from the type described above.

[0054] While the invention has been illustrated and described asembodied in a livestock feeder, it is not intended to be limited to thedetails shown, since it will be understood that various omissions,modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of thedevice illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled inthe art without departing in any way from the spirit of the presentinvention.

[0055] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal thegist of the present invention that others can, by applying currentknowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omittingfeatures that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constituteessential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of thisinvention.

[0056] What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by LettersPatent is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A livestock feeder comprising: a) a top gate, a bottom gate,a center gate disposed between said top gate and said bottom gate, saidtop gate, said bottom gate, and said center gate define a gate system;b) a means for horizontal movement disposed on the gate system wherebythe gate system can move in a horizontal direction when movement of themeans for horizontal movement is initiated; c) a means for initiatinghorizontal movement; d) said bottom gate being comprised of a bottomgate lower bar, and bottom gate vertical members extending from saidbottom gate lower bar, said bottom gate vertical members are essentiallyperpendicular to said bottom gate lower bar, said bottom gate verticalbars have varied distances between them, whereby bison with differentsize heads can place their mouths near said vertical members and pullout feed with their mouths.
 2. The livestock feeder of claim 1 wherebythe means for horizontal movement is a roller mechanism, which rolls ona horizontal member.
 3. The livestock feeder of claim 1 whereby themeans for initiation horizontal movement is a crank and cable, wherebythe cable is attached to the roller mechanism.
 4. The livestock feederof claim 1 whereby the bottom gate can pivot about a pivot point andlocked in place by a lower gate pivot lock.
 5. The livestock feeder ofclaim 4 whereby a bottom gate lock support is disposed on said bottomgate, a center gate support is disposed on said center gate, and abottom gate pivot is disposed between said bottom gate lock support andsaid center gate support.
 6. The livestock feeder as described in claim1, wherein the livestock feeder is manufactured from a group ofmaterials consisting of wood, metal, metal alloy, plastic, plasticcomposite, fiberglass, ceramic, and epoxy.
 7. The livestock feeder asdescribed in claim 1, wherein the livestock feeder is manufactured indifferent lengths and widths.
 8. The livestock feeder as described inclaim 1, wherein the gate system is constructed to be used inconjunction with existing poll barn-like structures.
 9. The livestockfeeder as described in claim 9 whereby said vertical members have atleast 5.25-inch openings separating said vertical members.
 10. Thelivestock feeder as described in claim 1 whereby said top gate, centergate, and bottom gate can each have a variety of sizes.